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Qld double-murder accused stays in custody

Cleo Fraser

A man accused of murdering his wife and mother-in-law near Cairns earlier this week will remain in custody after his court case was adjourned.

Police allege Balwinder Singh Ghuman, 43, fatally stabbed his wife, Manjinder, in their family home at Gordonvale, south of Cairns, before attacking the woman's elderly mother, Sukhwinder, in the yard of a neighbouring property on Monday afternoon.

As well as the two murder charges, he is also accused of attempting to murder his father-in-law Sarwan Singh and wounding his 17-year-old daughter as they tried to protect Manjinder.

His case was briefly mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday. However, he did not appear in the dock.

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Ghuman's lawyer Fabia Parker and police prosecutor Bob Soper both requested the matter be adjourned to April 13.

"Given the nature of the charges it will take some time (to prepare a brief of evidence)," Mr Soper said.

Ms Parker added: "And it will give us some time to obtain instructions".

Under Queensland law, Ghuman will need to apply to Queensland's Supreme Court if he wants to be released on bail.

The shocking case has rocked the far north Queensland community still reeling from the deaths of eight children on Murray Street in Cairns in December 2014.

Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder told media on Tuesday that emergency services turned up to what could only described as "a horrific blood-soaked scene" on Monday afternoon.

Media are reporting the family are Indian-born but had lived in Gordonvale for at least a decade.

Manjinder, a mother of two, worked at a local supermarket and was much-loved by the community.

Her boss, chief executive of the Cornetts IGA supermarket Graham Booysen, told the Cairns Post that her colleagues were in shock.

"Obviously this is a tragedy, all the staff have known her for a very long time," he said.

She was a great part of the team, everyone loved her.

Det Sup Rohweder has described the tragedy as a terrible domestic incident, saying alcohol may have played a role.

Any bail application would have to be heard in the Supreme Court due to the seriousness of the charges.